SECRET MEDITERRANEAN An independent stay at the wonderfully romantic and historic Palazzo Belmonte in , Southern

NOBLE CALEDONIA hink of the Mediterranean and your first beach to the next village. Meals can be taken Tthought is probably package holidays and open-air on the terrace with sea views and at night uncontrolled tourism development. Such blots are it really comes into its own as you dine to the now commonplace along vast areas of the background sound of the surf. Mediterranean coastline, so it is a rare event when This really is a very special place if you prefer the we come across somewhere very special. quiet life. It is not glitzy and Just a couple of hours drive south of glamorous in the way of a typical ITALY lies a beautiful and unspoiled grand Italian hotel. Palazzo Belmonte

Bay of area of seemingly endless white sandy Gaeta is unique, and because it is privately •Naples es beaches, lush hills, historic hilltop pl owned it has that extra ingredient that Na • Bay of Amalfi • • towns and fishing villages. Set amid Bay of • • separates it from the chain hotels of • this wonderfully attractive area is the this world. The love, care and thought T Y R R 17th century Palazzo Belmonte, the H E N I A N S E A provided by the owner is reflected in a only Italian palazzo situated directly on hundred different ways, something the beach. Built for the family of the present very few first class or deluxe hotels can emulate. Principe di Belmonte, who still resides in a private wing, this truly romantic building was used as a hunting lodge by the Kings of Italy and Spain. After many years of sympathetic conversion this OUR VIEW delightful property now offers an idyllic retreat, a Tucked away in an unspoilt corner of southern Italy, Palazzo perfect place to relax and unwind. Belmonte is the home of the noble Belmonte family. This is still very much a family home and guests can regularly expect to After many years of offering visits to the Palazzo share breakfast with the Prince and other members of his family who still live in part of the palace. The location is breath-taking, with a full itinerary of escorted excursions, we on the coast just south of the Amalfi Riviera lies the have decided to offer a more independent stay, village of Santa Maria di Castellabate, a charming and allowing for flexibility and giving guests the choice untouched example of Italy of the past. All rooms are individual but share the same fresh feel with whitewashed walls, terracotta of joining some optional excursions which we have floors, wrought iron beds and colourful tiled bathrooms, with arranged or the opportunity to relax at the hotel antiques and artworks that have been collected by the family and explore independently. With such a peaceful since the 17th century when the estate was built. Many rooms have private terraces or gardens, the perfect place to watch the location, it is nice to see how the mood takes you jaw-dropping sunset. A short wander along pathways through and plan your own itinerary. bougainvillea and hibiscus leads you down to the large freshwater pool in a secluded corner of the garden or the Leave your French doors open at night and enjoy Palazzo’s sandy beach. the pleasure of falling asleep and waking to the sounds of the sea. Enjoy the scents of the garden, birdsong and absorb the peace and tranquillity of this little oasis. Stroll down to breakfast in the garden, enjoy a swim in the pool or walk along the The Palazzo courtyard

Villa Belmonte - Terrace of a double room with sea view Belvedere Restaurant

the typical dish ‘La Caprese’ with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh basil; Palazzo Belmonte home-made local pasta ‘fusilli’ - spiral-shaped noodles; not to mention extra Such gems as the Palazzo are rare to find. Situated in a picturesque and virgin olive oil from the Belmonte estate and famed white figs, both fresh untouched area of southern Italy, in the heart of Magna Graecia, this truly and dried. romantic building offers an idyllic retreat. When you enter via its imposing gates you step into a timeless world, a walled five-acre garden of almost The Grounds semi tropical splendour which in turn gives way to a white sandy beach, A path through the five acres of the Palazzo’s gardens leads to the 24-metre stretching for miles along the bay. Dominating the estate is the beautiful fresh-water pool surrounded by bougainvillea, and beyond to a small green Palazzo and hidden away in the lush gardens is the more recently built Villa “secret gate” which leads down to the Palazzo’s private golden sandy Belmonte, named after the Prince’s daughters and designed to beach. The terraces and magnificent fresh-water swimming pool are set in a complement the historic palazzo. You have the choice of staying in either profusion of greenery with an inviting poolside bar offering light lunches building in a range of rooms and suites. The accommodation is beautifully and cocktails. Massage and beauty treatments are available on request. appointed with luxurious bathrooms. Most rooms have stunning views of From late May and throughout June the weather is glorious, and the the gardens or sea although a number of rooms at the Villa Belmonte are gardens are at their most beautiful, whilst in September and early October rear facing with a view of the garden perimeter wall. the late summer heat and warm sea of Southern Italy provides a welcome Dining contrast to life elsewhere. The wonderful views at Palazzo Belmonte inspire some guests to paint or draw, while others prefer to read and relax in the If you choose to take lunch and dinner at the Palazzo, these may be taken shade of the pine trees in the garden or by the pool. open-air in the ‘Belvedere’, a beautiful terrace in the gardens and at night candles are lit to add to the magical atmosphere. Regional specialties with Due to the layout of the hotel and grounds, we do not recommend this an emphasis on fresh sea food and the finest local produce feature every holiday for those with walking difficulties. The hotel is spread out over a large day on the menu including the best Buffalo mozzarella in the world used for area and many rooms are only accessible by climbing a number of steps.

Villa Belmonte - Double room with sea view and terrace Palazzo Belmonte - Terrace of a one bedroom suite with sea view www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Palazzo Belmonte - One bedroom suite with sea view Palazzo suite entrance

Palazzo gardens Bar area The imposing Palazzo entrance

The Itinerary

Day 1 London to Naples. Fly by scheduled flight and on arrival transfer to the Palazzo Belmonte. Check into your room for your seven night stay.

Days 2 to 7 Palazzo Belmonte. Your time at the Palazzo is yours to enjoy at your own pace. After breakfast each morning you can choose to join one of the optional excursions on offer, maybe walk the short distance to the local town of Santa Maria de Castellabate or simply relax at the Palazzo on the private beach. The Palazzo is situated in an area full of interest and optional excursions include the magnificent temples of Paestum, the archaeological sites of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Oplontis and the towns of the Amalfi Coast. We will also take the opportunity to visit local farms and discover the food, wines and oils of the region famous for the Fresh-water swimming pool Mediterranean Diet. The excursions will be spread over the days of your stay allowing you to plan your week according to how busy you 2015 Departure dates & Prices per person would like to be. based on double occupancy Day 8 Naples to London. After breakfast in the 25th May to 1st June; 1st to 8th June; 8th to 15th June; 14th to 21st September; hotel transfer to Naples for our scheduled flight 21st to 28th September; 28th September to 5th October to London. DOUBLE SOLE OCCUPANCY OCCUPANCY Palazzo Belmonte - Double room/Duplex £1495 N/A Palazzo Belmonte - Junior suite with partial sea view £1795 N/A Palazzo Belmonte - One bedroom suite with sea view £1895 N/A Palazzo Belmonte - One bedroom suite with sea view and terrace £1995 N/A

Villa Belmonte - Standard single room (rear facing) N/A £1595 Villa Belmonte - Standard double room (rear facing) £1295 £1795 Villa Belmonte - Double room with garden view and patio £1595 £1995 Villa Belmonte - Double room with sea view and terrace £1795 £2295 Villa Belmonte - Superior double room with sea view and terrace £1895 £2395

Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, seven nights accommodation at the Palazzo Belmonte or Villa Belmonte on bed and breakfast basis, transfers, airport taxes, tour manager. Not Included: Travel Insurance, excursions, lunch and dinner. The harbour at Santa Maria de Castellabate +44 (0)20-7752 0000 Optional Excursions For those who would like to join some guided excursions during their stay at the Palazzo Belmonte, we have arranged the following tours. The excursions will be on set days during your visit and the timings and prices will be confirmed 12 weeks prior to travel.

Herculaneum, Oplontis & Pompeii which emphasise the characteristics of the Mediterranean Diet. In the afternoon we will drive into the hills of Cilento, an (full day) enchanting area of hilltop villages. Stopping at , we will visit ‘Santomiele’, a well known fig farm. In We start the day visiting Herculaneum which is situated addition to the various types of figs, there will be a towards the sea and famous for its public bath used by tasting of other products, such as ‘Stuffolata Cilentana’ the Roman’s wealthiest citizens. Villa Papyri was one of a cake with muscat wine and honey, and a series of the most luxurious homes known in the Roman world handmade chocolates. It was in May 2002 that the farm and rose high above the cliffs on the sea, with an ideal took a step further with the organic cultivation of a fig panoramic vista to the bay of Naples and an expansive orchard obtaining, in this way, a high-quality product. swimming pool. We continue to Oplontis where excavations have unearthed several villas, one of these belonging to Lucius Crassius Tertius which is famous for its amphorae. Enjoy lunch in a typical Ravello & Amalfi Coast (full day) Italian restaurant before our exploration of Pompeii. Because of Pompeii’s long and varied history of ownership, foreign influences – such as the This full day excursion is to a region regarded by many as the most practice of Egyptian religious rites and the use of Greek architecture are beautiful stretch of coastline anywhere in the Mediterranean. First we evident everywhere in the city. It held administrative control over the drive to Salerno and take the hydrofoil to Amalfi, with its charming neighbouring suburbs, and was a centre for trade of crops, wine, and olive history. Here we can climb the steep steps to the impressive ‘Duomo of oil. When Vesuvius erupted, much of Pompeii was still recovering from the Sant’Andrea’ and explore the narrow alleyways and lanes which cling to great earthquake of A.D. 62. the cliff side. We visit the famous paper factory, one of the most antique industrial paper factories in Europe. Continue to Ravello where we stop for lunch. We visit Villa Rufolo and its beautiful gardens whose beauty Paestum (half day) inspired the German composer Wagner for his ‘Parsifal’, and Villa Cimbrone with its spectacular view over the gulf, also called “Terrace to Founded by Greeks in 600 BC this well preserved and fascinating site the lnfinite”. It has attracted many notable visitors over the years who was rediscovered in 1752. On our half day tour we will see the have been astonished by its beauty, including Winston Churchill, Greta impressive Temple Poseidon, the Basilica, Amphitheatre and Aethenian. Garbo and Virginia Woolf. Return to the Palazzo Belmonte by coach. Later, spend some time in the museum, adjacent to the site. Local Foods of Cilento – Mozzarella and Local Foods of Cilento – oil, figs and wine Wine (half day) (full day) Discover the cheese and wine of the region. We will visit a nearby We start at the nearby site of , founded by Ancel Keys, father of the Buffalo Mozzarella farm, tasting the typical products of the farm and Mediterranean Diet. Visit San Mauro and enjoy some time exploring its seeing the production of handmade mozzarella. Enjoy a mozzarella peaceful streets. Continue to the antique oil mill with a ‘tasting’ of various tasting with other typical products before driving into the hills of the types of olive oil. Enjoy lunch at the oil mill with typical local products Cilento to a well-known vineyard for some wine tasting.

Temple of Poseidon, ancient Paestum

Wall mosaic at the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum The Duomo of Sant Andrea, Amalfi NOBLE CALEDONIA 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk

Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover images: Front - View of the Amalfi coast from Villa Rufolo, Ravello; Back - and the Amalfi coast, Campania

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